Federal Fraud Charges Hit Tryon, N.C. Council Member and Fire Chief
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – A federal indictment has rocked the small town of Tryon, North Carolina, with the news that Leroy Miller, Jr., 51, and Joseph Samuel Davis, 42, both residents of Tryon, have been charged with conspiracy to commit fraud.
The charges, announced by U.S. Attorney Jill Westmoreland Rose for the Western District of North Carolina, also include allegations against Miller for federal program fraud, extortion under color of official right, and witness tampering.
The indictment, returned under seal on April 4, 2017, by a federal grand jury in Asheville, remained concealed until Miller’s arrest today. Joining Rose in the announcement were John A. Strong, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Charlotte Division, and Robert Schurmeier, Director of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.
‘Violating the public trust deserves decisive action by prosecutors,’ Rose emphasized. ‘Today, we have indicted two individuals who flagrantly abused the trust given to them by the citizens of Tryon.’
Special Agent Strong echoed the sentiment, stating, ‘The FBI and our law enforcement partners are investigating those who exploit essential services for personal gain. The public expects high standards from government officials, and when trust is broken, it affects us all.’
SBI Director Schurmeier added, ‘Public corruption cases like this one in Polk County are a priority for the SBI. We commend the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their diligent work on this case.’
The indictment outlines that from January 2012, Davis served as Tryon’s fire chief and later interim and permanent town manager, witnessing a salary increase of over $5,000 annually. Miller, an elected member of the town council, was in a position to influence appointments, including Davis’s role as town manager.
Allegedly, from April 2012, Miller solicited money from Davis in exchange for advocating for a higher salary and other favors within the town council. Miller sometimes reminded Davis of his influence over budget increases and salary decisions. Davis began using the town’s credit cards to pay Miller’s personal expenses when he was unable to provide cash.
The indictment further alleges that in September 2016, with the assumption of a new town manager, Davis’s salary would be lowered as he returned to solely serving as fire chief.
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Key Facts
- State: North Carolina
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Public Corruption|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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